. Daena is thine, Ahura Mazda. It is Thy divine voice that whispers and speaks to me through my conscience. It is the guardian and watchman of my morals and Thy moral law is engraved on its tablet. It is Thy vicegerent in me that approves and attests, commends and condemns, warns and guides, censures […]
. Sinlessness is struggle. It is triumph in the war waged against temptation to sin. The sinful act is a sin indeed, but the very will to sin, the inclination to sin, the intention to sin, is also sin. The will to sin may not be realized, the inclination to sin may not succeed, and […]
. Replenish and restore my faith when it grows dim and light, Ahura Mazda, for life loses its luster when it loses its faith. Life is resplendent and rich when the fire on the altar of faith is aflame in my heart. Make me not wavering and weak in my faith in myself. Let my […]
. PT: What is an ‘Atash Kadeh’? Sachinwalla: The real source of an Atash Kadeh consists of ‘Kadim Ahurtekesh Mazdayasni Zarathustrian Dean’, with each word having its own meaning and significance. ‘Kadim’ means, ‘no beginning, no end, something which is infinite’, ‘Ahurtekesh’ signifies, ‘from the conscious of Ahura Mazda’, ‘Mazdayasni’ stands for the ‘One, who […]
A teenager usually has a myriad chores and obligations that he/she might have to fulfil, be it academic, social or extra-curricular. Religion, spirituality and thought under normal circumstances are of no apparent aid. They appear to be ubiquitously used, yet are paradoxical and loosely defined concepts that seem to be growing seemingly distant from the […]
. Faith is the belief in the unknown, as belief is the faith in the known. Faith soars the highest heaven and dives to the deepest depth. Faith knows no bound and breaks through all barriers. Faith reads the secrets of the earth and deciphers the mysteries of heaven. Faith knows all and sees all. […]
The etymology of the word ‘religion’ comes from the Latin root word ‘religare’ which means to unite or to join. To join or unite what? Obviously, Man with God and more importantly, man with man. Has any religion in world history managed to do that? In fact, most wars have been fought in the name […]
. PT: Tell us about the sixteen fires which come together to consecrate an Atash Behram? RK: The 16 fires for the Atash Behram are sourced from different places, mainly where fire is used as a means of vocations by different people, and where it undergoes hardships in various ways. There are no particular names […]
Khordad is the third month of the Zoroastrian calendar and it ushers blessings of purity and perfection. Khordad or Avestan Haurvataat is not only an Amesha Spenta presiding over the purifying waters, it also embodies the quality of perfection. Khordaad and Ameredaad (Avestan Haurvataat and Ameretaat) are twin concepts representing the final goal of human […]
Parsis as a community love to celebrate. Not just our own feasts and festivals, even Diwali and Christmas are celebrated with equal gusto. However, often in our enthusiasm, we end up violating certain fundamental precepts of our own religion. Take for example the misuse of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali. Not only are firecrackers […]
Yesterday is past beyond recall. Today only is mine. Let me make the best use of it as it is my sure possession. Tomorrow has shadowy existence. It may or may not dawn for me. I may be dead and gone before it is born. Let me put procrastination far from me, when it comes […]